Hunt- We must scrap for survival

Last Updated : 28 Dec 2011 17:16

Hunt- We must scrap for survival.

Stephen Hunt has called for Wolves to put their bodies on the line as they battle to stay clear of the relegation dogfight in 2012.

Mick McCarthy's men survived the second-half sending-off of midfielder Nenad Milijas to earn a creditable 1-1 draw at Arsenal on Tuesday, helped in no small part by an heroic display from goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Hunt, 30, believes such a collective battling spirit can help guide the Molineux club to safety, saying: "Everyone is desperate to stay in this league. Everyone is putting their bodies on the line. Sometimes they hit you and go in, sometimes they hit you and go past the post."

He added: "You have to believe that you can get something anywhere in the Premier League if you defend right. You have to be brave with your blocks, there were bodies flying left right and centre in the box.

"You could see from the manager's reaction at the end of the game what it meant. We are a close unit and we have to be."

Wales international Hennessey denied Arsenal time and again, with a late reflex save to boot away a close-range header from defender Per Mertesacker following some fine diving efforts to keep out Robin van Persie's free-kicks.

Hunt believes the 24-year-old is right up there with the best keepers in the Premier League, adding: "Wayne has the same style as [Edwin] van der Sar, he is tall, with a good physique. If he has the right desire to get to the top four, I think he will."

Wolves have lodged an appeal with the Football Association against Milijas' red card.

The Serbian midfielder was sent off by referee Stuart Attwell following a studs-up sliding challenge on Mikel Arteta after 75 minutes.

The FA's disciplinary panel are set to hear the case and make a decision ahead of Saturday's trip to Bolton, which could see the automatic three-match ban rescinded.